John Munson/The Star-LedgerTerry Collins has been busy trying to contact his new players.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – As befits his new position, Terry Collins is a busy man. He said he has reached out to most of his players on the Mets – even if, he said, “there must be a lot of guys hunting.”

But here are the highlights of Collins’ early discussions, as he relayed during a session with reporters here at the Dolphin Hotel:

1. Collins recently spoke with outfielder Carlos Beltran, who apparently reiterated to Collins what he told reporters last month: If the team approached him in spring training about switching to right field, he would listen. Regardless, he would not yo-yo Beltran and his expected replacement, Angel Pagan, back and forth. If they made the switch, it would be a clean break.

“We're not going to sit there and take one of the best players in the game and dangle him around from position to position to see where he fits best,” Collins said. “We're going to get him comfortable. We know when this guy's comfortable, he's a productive player.”

The decision will be a mutual one, Collins said. Beltran will have input.

2. Collins more or less challenged Luis Castillo to win back his position at second base. His main competitor appears to be Daniel Murphy, who injured his hamstring this winter playing in the Dominican Republic. Collins called Castillo to keep him in the loop.

“I told him, look, he's been reading that this job is up for grabs,” Collins said. “Why not have his name in the mix. If he wants it bad enough, he'll get himself ready to play it, and then we'll go to spring training and see what's our best option.”

3. Jason Bay told Collins he would “think about” attending mini-camp in January. Collins said Bay’s recovery from a concussion was going well.

4. And, of course, Oliver Perez. Collins indicated that he and Sandy Alderson today discussed travel plans to visit Perez during his winter ball stay in Mexico. It is up in the air whether Perez would be considered for the starting rotation or the bullpen. Collins just wants to see improvement.

“If he can pitch the way he knows how to pitch,” Collins said, “the way he's been, he goes out and gives us quality innings, I think the people will say, ‘hey, look, he's gotten better.’”